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New leader should take culture into video media

CHINESE NATIONALIST PARTY (KMT) presidential candidate Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) recently made public a white paper on culture, which was a very positive campaign strategy. Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) candidate Frank Hsieh (謝長廷) has also had an interest in culture for a long time, especially broadcasting and television culture. It would be beneficial to Taiwanese if the competition between Hsieh and Ma included a debate on culture, particularly video culture.

When Ma ran for Taipei Mayor in 1998, he mentioned culture in an action white paper, promoting the establishment of Taipei public radio, the strengthening of media coverage for local communities and the disadvantaged as well as more content aimed at public welfare. These are all ideas which have yet to be realized and are still needed in Taiwan.

Hsieh seems to have more cultural policies and results. In the 1990s, Hsieh started the Chinese-language New Cultural Monthly magazine.

During deliberations over the Cable Radio and Television Act (有線廣播電視法) and Public Television Act (公共電視法), Hsieh wanted to implement special taxes for cable television operators which could help subsidize cultural projects like public television. His arguments remain valid today.

Hsieh also contributed progressive measures for public television, although later, during a legislative assessment, the version he had proposed was not supported.

Ma has praised Hsieh for his film initiatives and says he plans to imitate them.

During Hsieh's one-year term as premier, he proposed a special budget for Taiwan Public Television Service (PTS), and legal amendments to laws regulating this service, though his successors failed to push these measures through.

It remains to be seen what policies on Taiwanese culture will be proposed and implemented by the future head of government or ruling party, especially in the field of public broadcasting.

Currently, there are three important proposals still in the Cabinet.

Apart from the drafts on the culture and creative industry development act and the digital content industry development act approved by the Cabinet in August and September last year, there is still a draft for a communication broadcast management act, which would incorporate the Telecommunications Act (電信法), the Cable Radio and Television Act (有線廣電法), the Satellite Broadcasting Act (衛星廣電法) and the Radio and Television Act (廣播電視法); this draft has been passed by the National Communications Commission, but awaits Cabinet assessment.

Of course, the new act for regulating public television proposed by Hsieh is more urgent, as it can respond to two new situations.

First, it can deal with the television budget and resources of the Overseas Compatriot Affairs Commission (僑委會), the Council for Hakka Affairs (客委會) and the Council of Indigenous Peoples (原民會), as well as the Chinese Television System, which was delegated to take over management of PTS last year, in accordance with the law.

Second, the new act can allow the sharing of resources between radio and television.

Unfortunately, this practical and forward-planning act still rings hollow due to administrative indolence.

Whether Ma or Hsieh is elected in March, both have had a clear perspective and valuable input in cultural affairs and policies. Hopefully we will begin to see more compelling discussions on culture and policy in the political arena.

Feng Chien-san is a professor in the Department of Journalism at National Chengchi University.

TRANSLATED BY ANGELA HONG
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